Costs Round-Up #24

Welcome to our weekly round-up of news from the world of legal costs

This week there has been an important development as the LAA issues changes to domestic and child abuse evidence requirements for legal aid funding: starting 17 July 2015 some evidence need not be re-examined before a final hearing if a certificate has already been granted earlier in the legal process. Read more here and here. The amendments were in part attributable to Law Society lobbying.

In London, Mr Justice Collins has deemed the legal aid agency exceptional case funding scheme unlawful. Vicky Kane, legal aid costs expert in John M Hayes Newcastle, reviews the case here. And says “ It is clear that significant changes to the operation of the scheme will be required in the light of Mr Justice Collins’ judgment and that this case will have profound implications for access to justice”. The Guardian also provides strong commentary here